Carbon Army - June 2010
20 June 2010
Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland launched the Carbon Army Food Growing Campaign on 4 June. The launch was held at Conservation Volunteers’ Wildflower Nursery and Allotment site in Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast.
The aim of the event was to demonstrate the importance of growing your own, to reduce food miles and encourage communities to become more self sufficient.
The launch started with a light lunch and speeches from Barbara Boardman, director of Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland, Trish Keogh Hodget, Belfast Health Trust, Amanda Peters, volunteer with Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland and Su Finch, Community Support Worker for Willowfield Parish Church.
Speaking at the event, volunteer Amanda Peters said “When I first started here I had no interest in conservation work, I didn’t even want to get my hands dirty, but that all changed. I have gained qualifications I didn’t think I would get and I have never looked back and I would recommend volunteering to anybody.”
After the speeches there was a tour of the allotment site, giving people the chance to ask questions and see for themselves the benefits of growing your own.
Throughout June, Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland’s Carbon Army of volunteers was encouraging local food growing projects to reduce climate change and cut the carbon impact of food production and distribution.
A free guide to help you get started with growing your own is available.